Change of venue for Arts Centre meeting

By Maria Daly Mullingar Advertiser, Fri, Sep 03, 2010

The venue for the upcoming meeting regarding the future of Mullingar Arts Centre has been changed to the gym at St Colman’s National School, Mullingar. The meeting will still take place at 8pm next Tuesday September 7.

The public meeting has been organised in support of Mullingar Arts Centre.

Speaking to the Advertiser organising committee member Paul Doolin said that, “due to circumstances beyond our control we have changed the venue and it will now take place in the gymnasium of St Colmans National School Mullingar on Tuesday night next September 7 at 8pm”. The meeting was organised to be held in Mullingar Arts Centre itself.

“Anyone with an interest in maintaining the wonderful Arts Centre in its present format and keeping the community based ethos of the centre is urged to attend and make their feelings known,” he added.

The public meeting is being held over growing concerns that the present Arts Centre board of directors are to resign after a report commissioned by county manager Danny McLoughlin and written by Leitrim arts office Caomhin Corrigan, suggested the current board of directors step down.

Locals are now concerned that impending changes at Mullingar Arts Centre will lead to it taking a new direction away from homegrown talents, and instead concentrating on professional, national and international shows.

“We’re worried that once the current arts committee resigns it will change the venue completely,” explained public meeting organiser Tony Irwin. “A lot of local acts use the facilities, and they’re going to turn it into a professional theatre. There will be no outlet for local talent. We don’t want a zombie theatre,” he added.

The local meeting has been organised for all those interested in the future of Mullingar Arts Centre, and organisers are urging all members of the community to attend.

Speaking to the Advertiser a spokesperson for Westmeath County Council explained that the report, which has gained public concern, is in fact a confidential report which has been sent to the board of Mullingar Arts Centre for their consideration.

For more information on the public meeting call Paul Doolin on (085 ) 7329896 or Tony Irwin on (086 ) 3639749.